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Politics headlines with summaries.
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Coalition extends lead over left bloc in latest Poll
22 Jan 2026New Zealand First has soared to nearly 12 percent in the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll, its highest result since the survey launched in early 2021.
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The long road to November: Luxon puts time on his side
22 Jan 2026Analysis - A November election date leaves a runway between now and polling day which may give time for an economic recovery, but also leaves plenty of time for things to go awry.
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'The clock is ticking' on Luxon as PM, says Hipkins as Labour prepares for election
22 Jan 2026The Labour leader says the odds are against his party for this year's election, but he's determined to buck the trend.
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The first four regions to get 'gamechanger' mental-health support
22 Jan 2026Last year's budget allocated $28m for 10 mental health teams to respond to mental distress calls, alongside law enforcement.
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New rules, passport waits causing headaches for UK travellers
22 Jan 2026One traveller told RNZ she was sick to the stomach because she only discovered in the last few days that she could be classed as a citizen and refused boarding.
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Sand-mining company probed for alleged wildlife breaches at Pākiri
22 Jan 2026Department of Conservation confirmed to RNZ that the concerns of locals are under investigation.
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Rātana celebrations get underway
22 Jan 2026Thousands of followers of the church known as Te Iwi Morehu congregate in the small settlement of Rātana Pā south of Whanganui every year.
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'Rattle your dags': Minister urges incorporated societies to re-register
22 Jan 2026Incorporated societies include clubs, charities, unions and political parties, and they have until 5 April to meet the requirements or be dissolved.
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'The logical time': PM Luxon sets election for 7 November
21 Jan 2026Christopher Luxon made the announcement from National's caucus retreat in Christchurch.
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Labour leader takes aim at government in first speech of election year
21 Jan 2026Hipkins told his party caucus New Zealanders were looking for a "sense of hope" and weren't getting getting that from the government. Audio
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Luxon throwing Bishop under the bus on housing, Hipkins says
21 Jan 2026The Labour leader has accused the prime minister of starting this election year by "panicking". Audio
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Why do schools have different start dates?
21 Jan 2026Our national school calendar is a complex beast, partly based on farming schedules from 150 years ago and continually tweaked since.
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Luxon announces election date
21 Jan 2026The prime minister has confirmed the general election will take place on 7 November.
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Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe to retire from politics
21 Jan 2026The former Speaker has been in parliament for more than a decade.
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Election date announced today
21 Jan 2026National MPs meet in Christchurch where leader Christopher Luxon is expected to announce this year's election date, while Labour counterparts gather in West Auckland.
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How NZ can thrive in Trump's new world
21 Jan 2026Analysis: In the wake of the US military intervention in Venezuela and Donald Trump's repeated threats towards Greenland, a wave of pessimism has swept the western world.
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Gore industrial hub gets government loan
21 Jan 2026The government is loaning $3.1 million to help build an industrial hub near Gore.
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Watch live: Election to be held on 7 November, Christopher Luxon announces
21 Jan 2026The prime minister is set to confirm the date as National MPs gather.
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'War on nature': Group says planning changes put wildlife at risk
20 Jan 2026Forest and Bird has criticised the removal of a criteria to show mining projects deliver a national or public benefit.
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When will Election Day be and how is it decided?
20 Jan 2026Explainer : The PM has announced 7 November is Election Day. But how is it picked, and what goes into the decision? Audio
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Councillors deny they failed Shadbolt, as widow claims they have blood on hands
20 Jan 2026Former Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark disputes claims made by Sir Tim Shadbolt's partner at his funeral. Audio
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Luxon confirms he's about to announce election date
20 Jan 2026The first National Party caucus of the year is about to get underway. Audio
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'Just not acceptable': Luxon on tariffs in battle over Greenland
20 Jan 2026The Prime Minister says tariffs are not the way foward as the US president threatens extra tariffs on EU allies that oppose his Greenland plans.
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'We know it's a sensitive issue': Luxon on rethink of Auckland intensification
19 Jan 2026After his State of the Nation speech, the prime minister said the conversation in Auckland was about "how much densification" and "where it happens".
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